Among the innumerable churches of Florence, this isn't certainly one of the best known. It is placed on the fringes of the area of San Lorenzo, at the crossroads between via Guelfa and Via Panicale, where in the streets one can see more Asian and African immigrants than Florentines, as a proof of the fact that we are in an area that through the years has maintained its authentic popular nature.The church of San Barnaba, with its humble plastered façade, doesn't make any effort to attract attention to itself, yet it's a very ancient building, whose first stone was laid away back in 1322, as part of a complex which in addition to the church included a convent with a cloister, a dormitory, a refectory and other buildings.After several renovations the cloister, characterized by Fifteenth Century proportions and decorations, has been partly dismantled, and the other spaces have been heavily modified, as today are occupied by private dwellings.I discovered this church during my University years, for a research that lead me to examine also its interior; since then, every time I go past this place I have the feeling of finding again an old friend, who looks kindly at me while I hastily say her hello in silence with a touch of nostalgia.

Grazie Tito! Hai proprio ragione, quanto a soggetti per nuovi acquerelli, Firenze è una miniera d'oro!Thank you Nicky, I'm glad you like the colours, although this time I've used W&N watercolours instead of water-soluble pencils, so the result appears less bright (but maybe more realistic)!Thank you Cathy, this is one of my favourite places in my afternoon walks and I'm pleased that you like it!Thank you Sandra, you are very kind!Thank you Sue, this church isn't so near the botanical gardens, it's rather near the market of San Lorenzo. If you're looking for something near the botanical gardens, see my post about the Library of San Marco of October 2010 or about the Holy Trinity Church of April 2010! :-)Lucia